THE RECEPTION AND UTILITY OF MAX WEBER'S CONCEPT OF PATRIMONIALISM IN LATIN AMERICA

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the validity of Max Weber's theory of domination as applied to Latin America and its social and political structures. The article concentrates on the advantages and risks involved when using the concept of patrimonialism to explain the authoritarian regimes of Latin American societies. To do this, the author examines how this concept has been applied for the study of the political organisation in different countries during various periods of time: the colonial era, the nineteenth century and contemporary societies. Focused on terminological analysis, the paper shows the conceptual problems of classical sociological theory when used for the study of social realities that were not at all central preoccupations for the original European writers. The author points out two main causes for the ambiguities and multiple meanings of concepts 1) the partial and fragmented reception of Weberian sociology in Latin America and 2) certain confusion already present in Weber's studies.